The Indian selectors are set to announce squads for the limited-overs tour of Australia on Saturday, October 4, even as the first Test against West Indies continues in Ahmedabad. Beyond the routine squad reveal, this decision has turned into one of BCCI's trickiest calls in years.
The spotlight is firmly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: two icons who have retired from Tests and T20Is but remain in contention for ODIs. With fewer 50-over games left before the 2027 World Cup, their selection has become a question of balancing legacy with transition.
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Rohit Sharma wants to win ODI World Cup before retiring
Rohit, now 38, has stepped away from two formats to focus on ODIs. His desire to win a World Cup as captain remains strong, especially after the heartbreak of 2023.
Reports, however, suggest the board has nudged him toward retirement sooner rather than later, with the upcoming series possibly being framed as a farewell. The dilemma: allow Rohit his last shot or fast-track Shubman Gill's captaincy era.
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Virat Kohli's lack of match time
Kohli, 36, is still India's most reliable ODI batter. But with ODI cricket itself shrinking, selectors wonder whether limited match time will keep him good enough through 2027.
Fitness is not a concern yet, but age and rhythm are unavoidable factors in the long run.
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Transition or keep legends for 2027 ODI World Cup
By 2027, Rohit will be 40, and Kohli will be nearly 39. India risks repeating history by delaying the transition until it becomes abrupt.
Yet pushing both out now could leave the batting core exposed. With only around 20-25 ODIs before the next World Cup, the cost of every selection is amplified.
The Australia series is not just another bilateral. It is the defining test of India's ODI vision: whether to stick with proven legends or start building around the next generation.
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